'PA Build My Future' spotlights dream jobs well within students' grasp

Published 10.12.2023

Photos by Kimberlee R. Rusczyk, digital marketing manager, and Tom Wilson, writer/editor-Penn College News

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    Dressed in neon T-shirts that suitably represented the bright career possibilities across the expansive construction industry, more than 1,000 students and chaperones from regional high schools and career and technical education centers converged on main campus Thursday for an interactive showcase of limitless potential.

    A fall tradition in just its fourth year, PA Build My Future put wide-eyed visitors in close contact with learned Penn College faculty/staff and students, as well as selfless industry partners who also devoted their time to tomorrow's workforce.

    A series of exhibits, in and around the Carl Building Technologies Center, not only whet appetites for what could be; it was a day to explore the scope of satisfying jobs – from architecture to carpentry, construction management to landscaping, HVAC to concrete.

        Ellyn A. Lester, assistant dean of construction and architectural technologies, welcomed each group to campus at preliminary sessions in the Klump Academic Center Auditorium. In addition to thanking the many volunteers and exhibitors who made the experience possible ...
        Ellyn A. Lester, assistant dean of construction and architectural technologies, welcomed each group to campus at preliminary sessions in the Klump Academic Center Auditorium. In addition to thanking the many volunteers and exhibitors who made the experience possible ...
        ... she introduced a safety briefing by Peter Kruppenbacher, assistant professor of building construction technology.
        ... she introduced a safety briefing by Peter Kruppenbacher, assistant professor of building construction technology.
        Helping with T-shirt distribution on the south side of West Third Street are members of the Penn College women's soccer team. From left are Virginia R. Yost, BillieGean D. Hennessy, Teagan A. Willey, Rylee N. Oliphant and Mia P. Clark.
        Helping with T-shirt distribution on the south side of West Third Street are members of the Penn College women's soccer team. From left are Virginia R. Yost, BillieGean D. Hennessy, Teagan A. Willey, Rylee N. Oliphant and Mia P. Clark.
        Doing likewise on the north side? The Wildcat volleyball squad!
        Doing likewise on the north side? The Wildcat volleyball squad!
        A customer coordinator at Berks Homes and a 2019 graduate in building construction technology, Katherine Rainey cheerfully greets a school bus in the Hager Lifelong Education Center "loop." At right is another of the day's tireless volunteers: Chuck D. Crews Jr., assistant director for secondary partnerships.
        A customer coordinator at Berks Homes and a 2019 graduate in building construction technology, Katherine Rainey cheerfully greets a school bus in the Hager Lifelong Education Center "loop." At right is another of the day's tireless volunteers: Chuck D. Crews Jr., assistant director for secondary partnerships.
        Helping the throngs safely cross a busy thoroughfare are Jansen L. Balmer (left) a residential construction technology & management student from Ephrata, and Trent B. Morrison, of South Williamsport, enrolled in concrete science technology.
        Helping the throngs safely cross a busy thoroughfare are Jansen L. Balmer (left) a residential construction technology & management student from Ephrata, and Trent B. Morrison, of South Williamsport, enrolled in concrete science technology.
        With hundreds upon hundreds of students heading in every direction – and so much for them to see and do – a prevalence of signs is essential to direct traffic to all points of interest.
        With hundreds upon hundreds of students heading in every direction – and so much for them to see and do – a prevalence of signs is essential to direct traffic to all points of interest.
        Members of the HVAC Club, some of the many students and faculty pitching in on the first day of their Fall Break, provide hands-on representation of their major in a BTC lab. Preparing to engage a group from Bethlehem Area Vo-Tech are Zachary A. Bruyn (left), of Wyalusing, and Eric S. Bell, of Jersey Shore, each working toward a bachelor's in heating, ventilation & air conditioning engineering technology.
        Members of the HVAC Club, some of the many students and faculty pitching in on the first day of their Fall Break, provide hands-on representation of their major in a BTC lab. Preparing to engage a group from Bethlehem Area Vo-Tech are Zachary A. Bruyn (left), of Wyalusing, and Eric S. Bell, of Jersey Shore, each working toward a bachelor's in heating, ventilation & air conditioning engineering technology.
        Construction Management Association members oversee a timed team-building exercise in which schoolmates attempt to build the highest block tower while working together to keep the ropes taut throughout. Oh, and one more thing: only the group leader can speak or a 10-second penalty is imposed.
        Construction Management Association members oversee a timed team-building exercise in which schoolmates attempt to build the highest block tower while working together to keep the ropes taut throughout. Oh, and one more thing: only the group leader can speak or a 10-second penalty is imposed.
        Andrew J. Hamelly (left), construction supervisor, and Robert Robinson, executive director, staff the Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity booth ...
        Andrew J. Hamelly (left), construction supervisor, and Robert Robinson, executive director, staff the Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity booth ...
        ... where students from South Williamsport Jr./Sr. High School stack miniature chairs in a fun and interactive entree to a thought-provoking question: What DOES it take to build an affordable home?
        ... where students from South Williamsport Jr./Sr. High School stack miniature chairs in a fun and interactive entree to a thought-provoking question: What DOES it take to build an affordable home?
        Visiting students try to identify components of a John Deere excavator at Groff Tractor & Equipment's outdoor station ...
        Visiting students try to identify components of a John Deere excavator at Groff Tractor & Equipment's outdoor station ...
        ... as Samantha O'Donnell-White (in Deere garb), GT&E's director of human resources, handed out commemorative hard hats to all – including this next-generation group of builders from the Dunham Children's Center. Accompanying the group are Tiffany L. Tyhanic (with name tag), childcare teacher, and Valerie L. Vonada, childcare assistant teacher.
        ... as Samantha O'Donnell-White (in black Deere fleece), GT&E's director of human resources, handed out commemorative hard hats to all – including this next-generation group of builders from the Dunham Children's Center. Accompanying the group are Tiffany L. Tyhanic (with name tag), childcare teacher, and Valerie L. Vonada, childcare assistant teacher. Also working the Groff table is Lance Bucha, regional service manager; visible at right background is Justin W. Beishline, assistant dean of diesel technology and natural resources.
        Enlightening a group of Sullivan County High School students in an electrical lab is Eric L. Anstadt, instructor of electrical technology/occupations.
        Enlightening a group of Sullivan County High School students in an electrical lab is Eric L. Anstadt, instructor of electrical technology/occupations.
        Schooling a pair of South Williamsport Mounties in the proper use of a concrete float is Joseph F. DiBucci, instructor of building construction technology: concrete and masonry. As a student, DiBucci was president of the ConCreate Design Club ...
        Schooling a pair of South Williamsport Mounties in the proper use of a concrete float is Joseph F. DiBucci, instructor of building construction technology: concrete and masonry. As a student, DiBucci was president of the ConCreate Design Club ...
        ... which made cornhole boards that were popular during Thursday's event.
        ... which made cornhole boards that were popular during Thursday's event.
        A South Williamsport student takes drill in hand, making every second count at a West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association attraction. The safety glasses were supplied by Construction Specialties which, while having to cancel at the last-minute, nontheless donated 1,000 pairs!
        A South Williamsport student takes drill in hand, making every second count at a West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association attraction. The safety glasses were supplied by Construction Specialties which, while having to cancel at the last-minute, nontheless donated 1,000 pairs!
        Against a backdrop of the scenic southern landscape, and the powerline that climbs those Allegheny foothills, PPL Electric Utilities returned to campus with its Live Line Electrical Safety Exhibit ...
        Against a backdrop of the scenic southern landscape, and the powerline that climbs those Allegheny foothills, PPL Electric Utilities returned to campus with its Live Line Electrical Safety Exhibit ...
        ... offering lifesaving information through a well-traveled presentation.
        ... offering lifesaving information through a well-traveled presentation.
        Students watch 3D printers in the Dr. Welch Workshop: A Makerspace at Penn College.
        Students watch 3D printers in the Dr. Welch Workshop: A Makerspace at Penn College.
        Always a popular draw, met with long lines of wannabe crane operators, is this machinery provided by Zartman Construction Inc.
        Always a popular draw, met with long lines of wannabe crane operators, is this machinery provided by Zartman Construction Inc.
        Along with supporting those still-alive-in-the-playoffs Philadelphia Phillies, Harry W. Hintz Jr. supervises a Lycoming Career and Technology Center student trying his hand in the concrete yard. A December 2022 retiree from full-time teaching, Hintz continues to share his significant expertise as a part-time substitute faculty member.
        Along with supporting those still-alive-in-the-playoffs Philadelphia Phillies, Harry W. Hintz Jr. supervises a Lycoming Career and Technology Center student trying his hand in the concrete yard. A December 2022 retiree from full-time teaching, Hintz continues to share his significant expertise as a part-time substitute faculty member.
        T-Ross Brothers Construction Inc. provided several competitive skill stations, including this nail-hammering exercise supervised by Cody Ross ...
        T-Ross Brothers Construction Inc. provided several competitive skill stations, including this nail-hammering exercise supervised by Cody Ross ...
        ... and a saw-wielding challenge that appealed to this Williamsport Area High School student.
        ... and a saw-wielding challenge that appealed to this Williamsport Area High School student.
        Hands-on activities gave the day's visitors ample opportunity to try out a number of processes and possibilities, such as this grinder provided by Durable Surfaces LLC.
        Hands-on activities gave the day's visitors ample opportunity to try out a number of processes and possibilities, such as this grinder provided by Durable Surfaces LLC.
        Mark Nance (in orange), a paraprofessional at Lycoming Career and Technology Center, and two students talk with Penn College alumnus Garth J. Reish in a college lab. The 2018 grad was one of three building automation technology degree-holders who returned as employees of Automated Logic; meeting guests in another lab were Andrew J. Fisher ('13) and Bradley J. Schmidt ('09).
        Mark Nance (in orange), a paraprofessional at Lycoming Career and Technology Center, and two students talk with Penn College alumnus Garth J. Reish in a college lab. The 2018 grad was one of three building automation technology degree-holders who returned as employees of Automated Logic; meeting guests in another lab were Andrew J. Fisher ('13) and Bradley J. Schmidt ('09).
        South Williamsport students race each other at the Berks Homes booth.
        South Williamsport students race each other at the Berks Homes booth.
        Drawing a crowd with a talk about Nudura insulated concrete forms is Jason Hodlofski, from Hoover Industrial Supply.
        Drawing a crowd with a talk about Nudura insulated concrete forms is Jason Hodlofski, from Hoover Industrial Supply.
        No less gawk-inspiring than on its first visit in 2022, the Wm. L. Robinson Concrete Contractors Inc. boom truck exerts a formidable presence.
        No less gawk-inspiring than on its first visit in 2022, the Wm. L. Robinson Concrete Contractors Inc. boom truck exerts a formidable presence.
        Representing the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County, a student at the Eichenlaub Inc. display adds mortar to stone for installation on a landscape wall.
        Representing the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County, a student at the Eichenlaub Inc. display adds mortar to stone for installation on a landscape wall.
        Stephanie Phillips-Taggart welcomes visitors to the Keystone Wood Products Association booth, set up in a campus carpentry lab.
        Stephanie Phillips-Taggart welcomes visitors to the Keystone Wood Products Association booth, set up in a campus carpentry lab.
        Amanda F. (Ritter) Zimmerman returned to her alma mater Thursday as a Build My Future exhibitor. Now head architectural technician and project manager at JENA Engineering in Allentown, Zimmerman earned a bachelor's in building science & sustainable design: architectural technology concentration in May.
        Amanda F. (Ritter) Zimmerman returned to her alma mater Thursday as a Build My Future exhibitor. Now head architectural technician and project manager at JENA Engineering in Allentown, Zimmerman earned a bachelor's in building science & sustainable design: architectural technology concentration in May.
        With such strikingly visible equipment displayed by a program partner (Centre Concrete, of Montoursville), why not employ some savvy product placement for the college's two-year degree in concrete science technology?
        With such strikingly visible equipment displayed by a program partner (Centre Concrete, of Montoursville), why not employ some savvy product placement for the college's two-year degree in concrete science technology?

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